Doctor Who showrunner Stephen Moffat thinks the popular BBC series could run forever. “I truly believe it could be a show that outlives everyone in this room,” he told an audience this morning at the Edinburgh International Television Festival. “It doesn’t just make money now; it could make money forever.” He was scotching rumors of budgetary headaches, saying the show was “very well looked after” by the BBC. “I’m never going to say I’ve got enough money – that’s like asking, ‘Would you like to be more happy?’ But [the BBC] are very well aware of its crown jewel status.”

And the BBC could channel some of those funds toward a long-anticipated movie version. Moffat treated a big-screen transition for the show as almost inevitable. “There’s often been talk about a movie. I’m sure we should do one [but] what I keep saying is it can’t ever be allowed to interfere with the television show. That’s the thing that will go on forever.”

The show returns to British and U.S. screens September 1 with Asylum Of The Daleks, and Moffat promised “a blockbuster every single week. Let’s not have a cheap episode; let’s make them all huge.” But Moffat was unconvinced when he asked for a show of hands in support of a female Doctor. “It is a part of Time Lord lore; it can happen. Who knows? The more often it’s talked about, the more likely it’s going to happen.”